Chicken plate pie is homemade comfort food that is well worth the effort. Chicken thighs are value for money and have a good flavour. The shortcrust pastry crust tops off the pie to make a meal. Serve it with potato wedges put in the oven as you start to make the pie.

Save time by using ready cooked chicken meat. Just add the chopped meat to the fried onions and add flour and stock to make the gravy and pour onto the pie plate. Of course you can also use ready to go pastry but homemade tastes better.

Cooks Know How: You will move yourself up a notch when you have made this recipe. You will see how chicken thighs are good value for money. You will notice the way flavours developed in the chicken when it is mixed with mushrooms and the bay leaves. You will create and handle pastry knowing that the fat and flour rubbed in together will give a lovely crisp result. You will feel good rolling out the pastry knowing that it will make the top of a homely pie that will taste delicious. Glaze the pastry with egg to make it golden and shiny.

Next Time

Try and be inventive with the meat part such as adding vegetables for health and colour and texture. The pastry can remain the same but make deep cuts in it before cooking to reveal the meaty filling.